(no subject)
A's/Giants Trip report-5/27/13
Oakland (O.co) Coliseum The location we sat in was about 50/50 A's & Giants fans, but there was a bunch of thuggish swagger from the A's guys. We had to deal with dueling F the A's/F the Giants chants...I told my sons the chants were "FOR THE GIANTS/FOR THE A'S). There were shoving matches in the stands, too, but nothing but disinterested rent-a-cops working security. I was genuinely fearful for my sons' safety. AT&T park's policy is to have a SFPD officer visible to every guest, regardless of your seat.
I suppose I'm also spoiled by the Giants' home, AT&T park, which has organized (though expensive) parking or easy public transportation options compared to Oakland's wasteland of a parking lot all the lanes were blocked by tailgaters 90 minutes before the game, and we had to walk the perimeter of the lot to get to the actual stadium due to the setup--It was a 20 minute walk to the car.
The food was MEH, the kids had hot dogs while Corey & I got grilled cheese on Texas Toast (20 minute wait after placing the order-ASTOUNDING).
I was really torqued off because the Memorial Day festivities consisted only of a color guard for the anthem and a serviceman who threw out the first pitch. In SF on Memorial Day they go all out with a flyover, honoring players who served, ceremonies to honor disabled vets and in general, a reason to get to the park early for the festivities.
This was one of the only games to sell out in Oakland this year, but there wasn't any other giveaway/promotion other than $10 haircuts behind the bleachers. Oakland's ownership still runs everything on the cheap, and the GOOD Oakland Fans (not the mouth-breathers who insisted on talking during the moment of silence) deserve better.